I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 664 - 493: Mirror Nation, Return of the Ice Abyss (Part 2)
Previously on I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield...
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Within the central open space of the relic, the ice layer fractured and gave way with a rumbling sound. Countless ice shards erupted from the fissures, coalescing into a swirling ice column amidst the raging snowstorm.
The ice column rapidly ascended and expanded. In mere moments, it transformed from a few-meter-long icy spire into a colossal, unbroken ice mountain.
Its summits stabbed the clouds like sharp swords. The entire mountain, a uniform pure blue, appeared as if carved from a single, ancient ice crystal, its surface gleaming with a glassy sheen. Countless archaic runes pulsed within the ice layer, resembling dormant stars.
As the ice mountain's elevation surpassed a thousand meters, a thick beam of azure light erupted from its apex, piercing the heavy, lead-grey clouds and tearing open a vast vortex of light in the sky.
The path of the light beam forcefully dispersed the snowstorm, even imbuing the surrounding air with a subtle blue aura. Its brilliance was so intense that the awe-inspiring, heaven-piercing spectacle could be clearly observed even from the relic's furthest reaches.
"What is that?" Taishi Feng's eyes widened, a note of reverence coloring his voice.
Qin Tian gazed into the distance and replied, "We'll find out once we investigate."
With those words, the Gate of Space materialized, and the four stepped through.
In the subsequent moment, the quartet found themselves suspended a thousand meters in the air. Before them lay the newly emerged ice mountain range. The continuous icy peaks resembled a slumbering colossal ice beast, its blue form shimmering with a frigid luster in the daylight.
Yet, what truly caused the four to gasp in astonishment was the sight at the heart of the ice mountains.
The tallest, sky-piercing peak was astonishingly split down the middle. A massive ice abyss bisected the mountain's body, akin to a chasm carved by a divine being's colossal blade.
The ice abyss plunged into unfathomable depths. Fierce, icy winds howled and spiraled from below, agitating countless fine ice crystals and forming white whirlwinds as thick as buckets. These were intermixed with ice shards sharp enough to shred spiritual energy, making it more terrifying than the most fearsome blizzard.
"This is..." Qin Tian's pupils contracted sharply. The vast ice abyss that traversed the ice mountain was eerily familiar.
After rescuing the Ice Crystal Phoenix, the creature had guided him to a hidden ice abyss where he obtained a substantial amount of Ice Marrow Ointment.
That particular ice abyss was identical to this one. The only difference was that, back then, the ice walls flanking the abyss were submerged underground. Now, they had risen along with the ice mountain, creating a majestic spectacle that cleaved the heavens and the earth.
"So, this relic isn't entirely sealed off from the outside world," a flicker of contemplation crossed Qin Tian's eyes. The mystery surrounding the ice abyss's inexplicable disappearance back then was finally beginning to unravel.
"Do you think this could be another Ice God Treasure Vault?" Zhuge Yu suddenly inquired, stroking his chin.
"Treasure Vault?" Taishi Feng's eyes brightened, but then a hint of doubt appeared. "But the treasure vault we entered previously was isolated, significantly different from this one."
"I believe it's highly probable," Qin Tian stated with considerable certainty. He recalled how effortlessly the Ice Crystal Phoenix had led him to the Ice Marrow Ointment. The Phoenix's ability to easily locate the ointment suggested that the treasures concealed within this ice abyss were abundant, possibly making it the central vault among the seven.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's charge right in!" Taishi Feng eagerly rubbed his fists.
"Let's not be hasty," Qin Tian cautioned, raising a hand to rest on Taishi Feng's shoulder. He directed his gaze towards the distant horizon. "If this is indeed the core treasure vault, gaining entry won't be a simple matter."
Just as he finished speaking, potent waves of spiritual energy surged from all directions. Initially, only a dozen scattered presences were detected, but in the blink of an eye, they multiplied into dozens, then hundreds.
This newly elevated ice mountain acted like a powerful magnet, relentlessly drawing all the talents who had entered the relic towards it.
They hovered in the air, their energies clashing, none daring to approach the ice abyss recklessly. The scene settled into an eerie silence.
At that precise moment, two chilling intents, sharp as swords, sliced through the air, precisely targeting Qin Tian and his companions!
Qin Tian turned his head, only to see two figures hurtling towards them. The one on the left was the uncomely Asaki from the Luoho Clan, a battle sword slung diagonally across his back, enveloped in a faint crimson mist. The one on the right was Shengongsi Yuzuo, dark golden serpentine scales creeping up his neck, his eyes blazing like crimson embers.
"You two have grievances with them as well?" Asaki and Shengongsi Yuzuo exchanged a glance, recognizing each other, a hint of surprise surfacing in their cold, hard tones.
"They just slaughtered my people." Shengongsi Yuzuo’s knuckles popped as he clenched his fists, his thoughts consumed by Beitiao Hezi’s demise. A dark, ominous aura of disaster threatened to spiral out of control. "How about we join forces to take them down?""Agreed." Asaki gave his assent without a second thought.Had he been alone, the warning from General Shen Qinyue about "no killing" would have made him hesitate, preventing him from taking action under the gaze of onlookers.However, with the Shengongsi Clan now sharing the repercussions, all apprehension vanished. A combined effort from two Holy Blood Clans meant they could withstand any scrutiny that followed."The one in black is mine." Shengongsi Yuzuo fixed his gaze on Qin Tian, his voice laced with a deadly intent that promised annihilation.Beitiao Hezi’s recent death had amplified his killing intent to its zenith; nothing could deter him from eliminating that individual.Asaki’s brow twitched slightly. Qin Tian was also the one he most desired to eliminate. Yet, Shengongsi Yuzuo, possessing Seven Stars strength at Tier Seven, undoubtedly held an edge. After a brief consideration, he conceded, stepping back."The others are mine.""Boom! Boom!"Two formidable energies erupted simultaneously. A mingling of blood mist and calamity energy tore through the air, shattering the tense standoff. The surrounding talents hastily retreated, their faces etched with a mixture of shock and anticipation."It’s Asaki of the Luoho Clan alongside Shengongsi Yuzuo! They’ve actually allied!""Isn’t that Zhuge Yu? What did they possibly do to draw the attention of two Holy Blood Clans?""Ah, you’re unaware? Recently, Zhuge Jin lodged a complaint against the Luoho Clan, accusing them of 'hoarding sacred artifacts and abducting eminent cultivators,' which led to only three members being dispatched this time. How could the Luoho Clan endure such an insult? As for Shengongsi Yuzuo’s involvement, I’m uncertain, but the Shengongsi Clan has always been at odds with the Dongfang faction; they must have provoked each other somehow.""It couldn’t be a better time to strike! Once the Dongfang Clan’s reinforcements arrive, their chances will vanish!""The greater the chaos, the better for us! When these Holy Blood Clans clash, it presents an opportunity for us to profit from the turmoil!"Amidst the murmurs, Asaki’s hand closed around his Battle Sword. With a sudden sweep, a colossal wave of blood-red Sword Qi surged forth like a nascent moon, bathing the atmosphere in crimson. Accompanied by a piercing shriek that tore through spiritual energy, it hurtled towards Zhuge Yu and his companions.Concurrently, Shengongsi Yuzuo unleashed his attack. His right arm underwent a startling transformation, becoming a scaled, serpentine limb. Within his palm, a grey spirit snake materialized. The creature’s eyes burned with a lifeless luminescence, and the pervasive calamity energy caused the surrounding temperature to plummet, lunging directly at Qin Tian’s face.What was even more critical was their synchronized focus on Qin Tian. Having previously fallen victim to Qin Tian’s spatial teleportation, they were determined to deny him any chance of escape this time.However, their underestimation of the spatial abilities inherent at the Holy Blood Level proved to be their downfall. The moment they initiated their assault, Qin Tian had already prepared his escape route, poised to withdraw at any instant.Just as spatial distortions began to ripple, Qin Tian sensed something profound. His brow furrowed, and he remained motionless."Boom!"The blood-red Sword Qi and the spectral grey snake were mere moments from impact when, abruptly, the ice beneath surged. A colossal ice wall, over ten meters thick, erupted from the ether like a towering mountain, adorned with intricate frost patterns. The biting cold seeped into one's very soul, solidifying the surrounding wind and snow into immobile ice crystals."Bang— Crack—"The crimson Sword Qi struck the ice wall, instantly erupting into a scarlet mist. Cracks spiderwebbed across the wall's surface. The grey spirit snake collided with these fissures, its calamitous energy aggressively attempting to erode the barrier, yet it was firmly contained by the wall's pristine aura.In mere moments, however, the substantial ice wall fragmented, dissolving into a flurry of icy shards. Simultaneously, propelled by the rebound force from the ice wall, both Asaki’s Sword Qi and Shengongsi Yuzuo’s spirit snake were utterly annihilated, leaving no trace."Who goes there!"Asaki’s pupils constricted as he bellowed fiercely."You wish to fight? I shall indulge you both."A composed voice pierced through the gale and snow, devoid of any mortal resonance.Following this, two figures glided into view from the direction of the ice abyss.The individual leading wore robes of moon-white and cyan, their ink-black hair elegantly bound with a jade pin. Their countenance was refined and gentle, enveloped by a faint cyan luminescence that radiated a vibrant, lively aura.The woman beside them presented a striking contrast, her waist-length white hair appearing as if sculpted from ice and snow. Her skin was alabaster, her features exquisitely chiseled like an ice sculpture, and her eyes held a frosty gaze akin to frozen dew, emanating a chill capable of freezing the very air."That is..."Within the assembled crowd, many instantly recognized the pair."Dongfang Qi, Leng Qingqiu."The Dongfang Clan and the Leng Family have also made their appearance.